Marlin saw the vet today. :( More info p3 #37

[IRescue452]

Did she check his liver? Spinning and crazy behavior are signs of a liver shunt (usually shunts are in young dogs) and or any problem where the liver stops processing toxins correctly. Hepatic encephalopathy is a brain disorder associated with dogs in liver failure and also can causing spinning. In fact, liver problems are the FIRST thing I think of when people say their dogs are spinning or staring into space, especially small breeds. If she didn't mention his liver you should call her and discuss it or get on the phone with another vet.

[Freedom]

Thank you, for all the prayers, support, and suggestions.

The vet had suggested a thunder shirt or tight T shirt, so this afternoon I put his peacoat on him. That kept him calm for 3 hours!

We are going to start with Anipryl, generic name selegiline, a med that is approved in the US for ccd - canine cognitive disorder.

I also found this website, and plan to try several things on there:
http://pathwithpaws.com/blog/2010/02...og-what-to-do/

I had already started adding canned food to his kibble, at least half and half.

The eye patch is an interesting idea too, I'll give that a shot!

We didn't do any blood work this week. Marlin was diagnosed with ccd last July, after tons and tons of testing - blood work, urinalysis, and several other non invasive tests. I need to see about updating his blood work and checking liver function.

Again, thanks for all the ideas.

[pomtzu]

Wow Sandie - that's amazing that putting on his peacoat settled him down. I've seen ads for the Thundershirt and always thought it was just a bunch of hokey, but I see that I'm wrong. I read that article that you linked, and I bookmarked it for future reference. Very interesting! Maybe with warmer weather on the way, you could get Marlin a kid size tee shirt, since the peacoat will probably be too warm.

Continuing with the prayers and good vibes for Marlin Darlin. Hoping some meds and new techniques make him more content.

[Karen]

Wow Sandie - that's amazing that putting on his peacoat settled him down. I've seen ads for the Thundershirt and always thought it was just a bunch of hokey, but I see that I'm wrong. I read that article that you linked, and I bookmarked it for future reference.

Friends of mine have a Mini Schnauzer rescue pup, who apparently lived outside in Louisiana before his rescue and transport North. So he naturally came with thunderstorm anxiety. They got him a thunder shirt, and as Michael describes" "It makes him calm, but a bit puzzled, like 'I'm not freaking out, but I don't know why!" Far easier to deal with then destructive anxiety and the panic and trying to calm him back down afterwards!

[Alysser]

Mikey has a thunder shirt. I can't give much of a review on it because we haven't had much storms here yet. But I've heard it really works. I've seen it on the news to and there's a bunch of dogs that it DID work for. I really hope that can help Marlin! If the pea coat worked something tighter may do the trick!

[snakemama]

The Thunder Shirt is a great help for my 16 year old pup, I'm glad Marlin's pea coat helps him too!

[IRescue452]

I've read nothing but bad reviews of the thundershirt. I want to try something with Naylee but I don't want to spend that much money if it doesn't work, especially since she needs an x-large shirt. I'm happy the peacoat works for Marlin though.